Guide to Being a Successful College Student Kirkwood

Guide to Being a Successful College Student Kirkwood Tutoring Services

What does it mean to you to be successful? Success has different meaning to different people. It could be: getting all A’s and B’s while working a full-time job. having a great social life. parenting two great kids and still making the dean’s list. being the first person in my family to earn a college degree.

What is success? Success is staying on course to your desired outcomes and experiences, creating wisdom, happiness, and unconditional self-worth along the way.

How to become a Successful Student Schedule your classes at a time best for you. Regularly attend ALL of your classes Form a strong relationship with your instructors. Plan Ahead Following your syllabus as a road map in your classes Study for your tests and exams Submit all assignments on time Do not procrastinate. Set goals Be prepared for any obstacle.

Goals In order to succeed in college and in life, you need to set goals. Goals should have the following characteristics: Specific ◦ Set clear goals for each class. ◦ Break study commitments down into achievable steps Individual Measurable ◦ Decide how much time to devote to college and to studying. Make sure it will fit in with YOUR current commitments. ◦ How many hours should be spent on each class, per week? Remember to account for time spent in the classroom, reading time for each subject and any individual assignments or papers that may be due. Reach for the Stars!

How to Read Your Syllabus A syllabus is a contract between you and your professor. Note your instructors contact information, contact times and office hours. Note the dates of major assignments. Note the instructor's policies regarding absences, tardiness and participation. Refer back to the syllabus often during the semester. Double check the syllabus before submitting any major paper or project to make sure you have met the deadline, style, length and other requirements. If any are unclear, speak to the instructor early.

Study Skills needed to be a Successful Student Time Management Note Taking Reading your Textbook Test Taking Strategies Stress Management

Time Management Create a calendar of dates (Download a weekly planner from the Tutoring Services/Study Skills website). Make a “To do” list Make sure to schedule relaxation, exercise and recreation time. Allow time to review before class. DO NOT over commit. Avoid Procrastination Sample Tuesday Schedule 8 am Jog for daily exercise 10 am Intro to computers 12 pm Lunch 1 pm Principles of Managerial Accounting 3 pm Break Time 3: 30 pm Watch Simpsons (cartoon) 4 pm Go to the Library to do homework 6 pm Dinner 6: 30 pm Play volleyball 8 pm Allsop Lab for Intro to computers homework

Note Taking Strategies Sentence Method ◦ Writing every new thought on a separate line. May define new sentences with bullet or number. Best used in lectures. Outline Method ◦ Assessing a topic based on the importance of points discussed. Method best used in organized lecture format.

Note Taking Strategies (cont’d) Charting Method ◦ Categorizing information into the appropriate section of a table created by you. Best used when having to memorize facts or data. Mapping Method ◦ Allows you to visually track lecture and see how relationships are created. Best used during structured lecture and breaking down ideas. See a complete demo of each note taking strategy on the Tutoring Services/Study Skills website.

Reading your Textbook Skim through the assigned chapters. This should help you find the basic idea. Try reading the chapter out loud. Highlight key points. Take advantage of the practice problems, reviews and tests in your textbook.

Test Taking Strategies Preparation should start on the first day of class. Ask the instructor to specify the areas emphasized on the test. Form study groups with students in your class Avoid studying in noisy places. Avoid Procrastinating.

Test Taking Strategies continued Break up your study session into manageable 45 minute segments. Arrive at least 5 minutes before the test will start. Read the directions carefully Answer the questions in a strategic order. ◦ Answer easy questions first to build confidence and score points. ◦ Answer difficult questions and those with the most point values. ◦ With essay questions, outline your answer and sequence the order of your points.

Stress Management Take Care of Yourself: Your ability to succeed in the classroom is dependent on how you treat your body. Don't Make a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill: Evaluate the situation. Is it really as bad as it seems? Imagine yourself in the best and worst case scenario. Be Prepared: If you are taking an exam make sure you have studied the materials including your text, supplemental material, and lecture notes.

Stress Management continued Breathe: During your exam take some deep breaths. Deep breathing causes your nervous system to calm down. Power of Positive Thinking: Before you go into your exam, silently repeat a positive self statement Allow yourself time to enjoy life.

Know the resources available at Kirkwood Community College Tutoring Services Computer Labs Additional Services

Tutoring Services Tutoring services are offered FREE to parttime and full-time Kirkwood students enrolled in credit classes for which tutoring is sought. Students may receive up to two (2) hours per week for two (2) credit classes per semester. The college offers four tutoring format options: ◦ ◦ Individual tutoring Walk-in (group) tutoring Online tutorials Computer application skills

Computer Applications Skills Lab Located at 2078 Cedar Hall Eighteen-station computer lab for student use These stations are loaded, such as Microsoft Applications, Campus only available files, and web services, with all the necessary software to carry out your academic needs. Support staff is available to answer your questions Monday through Thursday from 8 a. m. - 6 p. m. and Friday from 8 a. m. - 4 p. m

Test Center Located in 2055 Cedar Hall Provides a variety of services and proctoring a variety of tests and exams including Perception Testing, CE 6 Testing, ACT High Stakes Testing, ESL testing, makeup of course exams, Anytime/Anywhere testing and correspondence exams PHOTO IDENTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TESTS. Hours of Operation Monday-Thursday 8: 00 AM-8: 00 PM Friday 8: 00 AM-5: 00 PM

Kirkwood Cedar Rapids Campus Library Located in Benton Hall Hours of Operations Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 7: 30 8: 30 3: 00 AM - 11: 00 PM AM – 5: 00 PM AM – 4: 00 PM PM – 8: 00 PM Tips: ◦ Study Rooms are available. ◦ When studying for a test, find a quiet spot to study for 45 minute segments. The library offers other activities during your study breaks. Bookstore Located in Benton Hall Hours of Operation Monday - Thursday Friday 8: 00 AM - 6: 00 PM 8: 00 AM – 5: 00 PM

Student Life Located at 230 Iowa Hall Sponsors student activities Hub for more than 60 clubs, organizations and groups on campus www. kirkwood. edu/studentlife for a full list of clubs and organizations

Computer Lab Allsop Computer Lab (131 Nielsen Hall) ◦ Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 7: 30 AM-10: 00 PM Friday 7: 30 AM-5: 00 PM Saturday 8: 00 AM-2: 00 PM Sunday 3: 00 PM-8: 00 PM

Student Health Located at 132 Iowa Hall. Staffed by a Registered Nurse and/or Paramedic Monday-Thursday 8: 00 -5: 00 PM and Friday 9: 00 -3: 00 PM Almost all services are free of charge and are confidential.

Additional Services and Locations Admissions Services 210 Iowa Hall Campus Health Services 132 Iowa Hall Diversity Services 1154 Linn Hall Eagle Card (Student ID Card) 104 Iowa Hall Enrollment Services 216 Kirkwood Hall Veterans Affairs 202 Kirkwood Hall Vocational Rehabilitation 123 Iowa Hall Writing Center 3067 Cedar Hall Learning Services 2063 Cedar Hall Student Development 115 Iowa Hall Financial Aid and Scholarships 205 Kirkwood Hall

In Conclusion The main purpose in going to college is the likely hood for a bright financial future and for that, students need a profession that begins with a career vision, that will most likely will require a post high school education. Part of that career vision involves a job earning higher than minimum wage. It will be hard work, but it is worth it. If you need help, ask for it. Set goals and reach for the stars. We urge you to be a successful college student. -Tutoring Services